Country: Mexico

Title: Detection of an outbreak of cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) in Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Contact:
Dr. Jorge Hernandez Baeza, Plant Health Director General: jbaeza@senasica.sagarpa.gob.mx

Report: Recently, the National Service for Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA), Plant Health Directorate (DGSV) received a report from the preventive monitoring system of the State Plant Health Committee from Quintana Roo, regarding the possible presence of cactus moth in the island of Isla Mujeres, located 9 km from the mainland in the state of Quintana Roo, in southeastern Mexico.

The DGSV sent technical personnel to evaluate and verify the report. Damaged cactus (Opuntia sp.) were found in the southern part of the island. Specimens were collected at the detection location (021° 12.286 N, 086° 42.819 W), and confirmed as cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum) by the Laboratory of Entomology and Mites from the National Phytosanitary Reference Centre.

As a result, the DGSV reported the presence of cactus moth according to the SENASICA-USDA bilateral cooperation program. Traps and pheromones were requested and sent to do trapping in the bordering area of the outbreak in the Yucatan Peninsula. A strategic plan for suppression, eradication and intensive monitoring was initiated, including activities to eliminate damaged cladodes, oviposition, larvae, pupae and wild hosts.

In addition, technical personnel from the Auxiliary Bodies of Plant Health in the States of Quintana Roo, Campeche and Yucatan, coordinated by the Plant Health Directorate, are monitoring wild and planted prickly pear to detect presence or absence of the pest. So far the results are negative.

Posted Date: Aug. 21, 2006, 9 a.m.